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By:- Ravikant Sir
 They also known as Immunomodulators.
 They are drugs that used to increase immune response.
Immunostimulants, also known as immunostimulators,
they are substances that stimulate the immune system
Immunostimulants are substance that increase the ability of
immune system to fight against disease and infection.
Immunostimulants are useful in :-
 Infections
Cancers
Immunodeficiency
To prevent infections.
Specific Immunostimulants Non Specific Immunostimulants
Provide Antigen specific
immunity. Act as antigen and
stimulate antibody
production
EXAMPLE :-
Vaccines
They act against antigen or to enhance
immune response by acting on T
lymphocytes.
EXAMPLE :-
Immunoglobulins
Thalidomide
Interferones or cytokines
Immunocynin
 Vaccine is a biological preparation that improves
immunity to a particular disease.
 Vaccine contain certain agents which stimulates immune
system to recognize the foreign agents.
 Vaccines are suspensions of dead microorganisms
(inactivated) or attenuated but live or toxin of
microorganism.
Ex: BCG vaccine for tuberculosis.
 They are human gamma globulins or antibodies like
natural immunoglobulins.
Example
o Tetanus Ig
o Antidiptheria Ig
o Hepatitis Ig
 These are drugs that enhance cell mediated immunity by
acting on T lymphocytes.
 They are teretogenic drugs so should be avoided in
pregnancy.
USES :-
o Multiple myeloma
o Lupus erythematosus
 They are cytokines. They are natural substance that
helps the body's immune system fight infection and
other diseases, such as cancer.
 Interferons are made in the body by T helper or CD4
cells.
USES :-
o Melanoma, Kaposi sarcoma, leukemia, lymphomas.
o Viral infections.
Headache, Back/joint pain.
Nausea, Chills, Fatigue.
Fever., Vomiting.
Constipation.
Immunosuppressants are drugs that inhibit immunity.
They suppress cell mediated or antibody mediated immune
response or both.
 They are mainly used in Autoimmune disease and to prevent
organ transplant/graft rejection.
Organ transplant.
Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s
disease and ulcerative colitis.
Lupus.
Multiple sclerosis.
Psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis.
1. T-Cell Inhibitors- cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus
2. Cytotoxic drugs :- Methotrexate, Azathioprine, Cyclophosphamide, Chlrambucil
3. Corticosteroids :- Methyl prednisone, Hydrocortisone,
4. Immunosuppressant antibodies :- muronomab, infliximab
 Acne, Diabetes (glucocorticoids)
 Fatigue, Hair loss or growth.
 Headaches
 Trouble concentrating or remembering.
 High blood pressure
 Mouth sores.
 Thinning bones (osteoporosis)
 Weight gain. (glucocorticoids)
 Stomach upset and nausea and
vomiting
 Blood infections like sepsis.
 Fungal infections like thrush and skin
fungus.
 Skin infections like cellulitis.
 Respiratory infections,
including colds, flu and pneumonia.
This is not the END……. 
• Write Nursing responsibility as I discussed in
class………